GWR Prepares To Rock Edinburgh With Licence Bid

Commercial radio group GWR has this week revealed the name of its proposed station for Edinburgh, unveiling 107 FM The Rock as the format it hopes will win over both listeners and advertisers in the area.

GWR’s Edinburgh Chooses project asked residents of Edinburgh for advice on what they would like from a new local station through a series of public meetings and a 1,000 person survey. The results indicate that people in the area want a classic and contemporary rock station from the latest round of FM licences.

In response, GWR claims that 107 FM The Rock will be a station ‘for Edinburgh, from Edinburgh’, reflecting Scotland’s music base as well as national and international rock music. The broadcaster also claims to be able to launch the new station by late autumn 2005, should it win the licence.

Commenting on the bid, GWR Group executive chairman, Ralph Bernard, said: “The Edinburgh market is vibrant, diverse and knows what it wants. Any new station faces significant challenges, but we’re confident that we have listened to what our future listeners want and can bring a fantastic new station to Edinburgh.”

The closing date for Edinburgh FM licence applications is 23 September, a date already on the calendars of several established broadcasters, including Virgin Radio. The station, owned by the Scottish Media Group, has outlined its intentions to bid for the broadcasting rights, pinning its hopes on a successful ‘home town bid'[ and adapting its current digital radio station, Virgin Radio Classic Rock to suit the brief.

Chrysalis Radio’s The Arrow will also bid for the licence, as will the Guardian Media Group, seeking to expand its Smooth FM brand into the region.

Earlier this year GWR acquired the remaining 67% of Two Boroughs Radio Limited from Johnston Press to become the sole-owner of the Burnley based radio operation. The move saw GWR increase its control over the company, which had sales of £1.18 million, with pre-tax profits netting £260,000 in 2003 (see Local Radio Group Snaps Up Remainder Of Two Boroughs).

GWR Group: 020 7284 3000 www.gwrgroup.com

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